Piercing CARE

Your piercer cleaned and disinfected the area pierced, and used sterile piercing equipment and jewelry. Now it's up to you to take appropriate care of your piercing.

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Products you can use

 Saline solution helps maintain your natural balance and promotes quick healing. The easiest and safest saline is sterile Wound Wash Saline, available at grocery stores and pharmacies near the bandages. It is sold in a pressurized can. Do not accidentally purchase antibiotic saline, contact cleaning solutions, or soaking/enzyme solutions.

 

Single-use gauze or clean paper towels

additional information

CHEMICALS WILL NOT HELP YOU HEAL FASTER

   Chemicals of any kind will upset the balance inside your body and prevent or delay healing. Do not use any product containing an active ingredient including, but not limited to: H2Ocean , Satin , Provon , Rubbing Alcohol, Hydrogen Peroxide, Bactine , Ear Care Solutions (benzalkonium/benzethonium chloride), Antibacterial soaps (i.e., liquid Dial , or Softsoap ), Neosporin (or other petroleum-based ointments), Betadine (povidone iodine) or Hibiclens .

 

How to care for your piercing

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ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE TOUCHING YOUR BODY PIERCING!

 

Saline Cleanse:

Gently clean to remove any accumulated lymph (crusties!) from the exposed jewelry and surrounding skin.  Spray saline directly onto both sides of the piercing.  To remove particularly stubborn crusties, soak a gauze pad or clean paper towel with saline and gently wipe the skin or jewelry clean. There is no need to turn the jewelry or intentionally work the saline inside the piercing; the less movement, the happier the piercing!

 

DRY by gently patting with a clean paper towel. Avoid cloth towels as they can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry, causing injury.

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Follow these instructions twice a day while healing, and anytime the piercing feels "sticky" or uncomfortable.

 

NEVER TWIST OR TURN JEWELRY IN A PIERCING: IT ONLY DOES HARM!

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Individual Piercing Care

All Piercings

Do not play with new piercings, as physical irritation is the most frequently-seen problem. When clothing will cover a piercing, wear clean, loose breathable fabrics. Do not remove or change jewlery until healing is complete. No oral or sexual contact in the area of any fresh piercing.



Navels

Waistbands or belts contacting the jewelry are the most common navel healing problem. Your clothes must ride below your navel, or it may never heal. Maintain good posture, especially when sitting, to reduce pressure irratation of navel piericings.



Nipples

A bra or snug-fitting shirt may help reduce soreness in the weeks following a nipple piercing. Stick with breathable fabrics, and consider wearing a cotton bra top to bed. Avoid loosely woven fabric such as lace to prevent clothing snags.



Swimming

Chlorine is irritating to healing piercings. Avoid chlorinated hot tubs and pools until the piercing is healed. Bodies of water, including pools, contain high bacteria levels which presents additional risk. Avoid submerging your new piercing in water for the duration of the healing process.



Bumps and Lumps

Many people mistake irritation for keloids or scarring. If you suspect a problem, contact your piercer as soon as possible. Most piercing-related problems are resolved easily; your piercer will guide you in the right direction.



How long should it take to you to heal

Healing for most piercings ranges from 2 to 4 months. Expect new piercings to be sore for a few weeks, and if there isn't a marked improvement after that time, contact your piercer for evaluation and advice. After the initial healing, continue to clean your piercing daily for as long as you have it.